Author: Rhys Gregory

Specialist commercial roofing contractor Nautilus has announced the successful completion of a management buyout, which will fuel its next stage of growth as a wholly family run business, in a deal advised on by the GS Verde Group. Since its establishment nearly 10 years ago by Stuart Jeffreys and Andrew Brush, Nautilus has worked with a range of commercial, industrial and third sector clients, employing a multi-disciplinary approach to roofing and cladding services. The transaction sees Mr Jeffreys take full ownership of the business, with his knowledge and experience within the sector set to take South Wales based Nautilus to…

Swansea University has secured more places on its successful Graduate Entry Medicine programme as part of a government investment to increase the number of Welsh-trained doctors for Wales. The additional 25 places will bring the number of home students on the course up to 142. Swansea’s GEM programme provides the quickest route for training doctors in Wales, with students graduating in four years after following a curriculum designed to reflect the way in which clinicians approach patients and how patients present to doctors. Students learn in the clinical environment from the very first few weeks of the programme. This innovative…

‘Addressing youth unemployment and homelessness’, are key aims of Wales’ longest-running public sector procurement framework, the £1bn South East and Mid Wales Collaborative Construction Framework (SEWSCAP), thanks to a new partnership with Welsh homelessness charity, Llamau. In line with its commitment to meeting the goals and objectives of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, the award-winning framework, in partnership with its sister framework, the South East & Mid Wales Collaborative Civil Engineering and Highways Construction Framework (SEWH), has committed approximately £25k funding to the charity, ensuring support for its Wellbeing and Education programmes. Llamau’s mission is to end…

Cardiff Bay’s iconic Red Dragon Centre is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and to mark the occasion they are sharing stories from some of the long-standing employees who have spent their working life there over the last quarter-century. Someone who has been at the Centre since the early days is Dave Hewitt who joined Hollywood Bowl when it opened in 1997 and has spent the last quarter century moving up the ranks from technician to chief technician. His favourite memories over the years all centre around events held in the mall, from the Balloon Art Fiestas to the renaming…

ITV’s Benidorm star Jake Canuso and Coronation Street star Lottie Henshall confirmed as headline acts in new Aladdin panto production at Rhyl Pavilion Theatre this Christmas. Jake Canuso, who is most famous for his role as the Spanish waiter Mateo in the hit ITV comedy series Benidorm, will star as the wicked Abanazar. Aiding him as the Spirit of the Ring is Lottie Henshall, most famous for her role as John Stape’s daughter Jade Rowan in Coronation Street. Lottie has also toured in the international production of the hit Mamma Mia, covering the lead role of Sophie. Oh yes they…

An award-winning collection of wedding venues is opening its third venue in Wales thanks to a joint seven-figure funding package from HSBC UK and the Development Bank of Wales. The Oldwalls Collection, which opened 14 years ago, has used the funding to add Sant Ffraed House in Abergavenny to its existing award winning portfolio which comprises of wedding venues, Fairyhill and Oldwalls Gower and several luxury holiday cottages. Set in 16 acres of picturesque Abergavenny countryside, Sant Ffraed House boasts a 150-person ceremony and reception room, substantial on-site accommodation, two bars, and an evening entertainment space. The opening will create…

A new hospitality award has been launched by the National Hospitality Academy. The Professional Hospitality Award is an accredited award issued by Laser Learning Awards, an awarding organisation approved by Ofqual, QAA and SIA. The award has been created to recognise competence in the hospitality sector for people in or planning to enter the industry, and  those looking to enter or move up into management. The award is given on completion of a number of course units provided by the National Hospitality Academy, and the entire programme, including exams, can be completed online. The 13 course units are: Ofqual regulated Level 2…

A college learner from Aberdare is one step closer to achieving his goal of becoming a professional rugby player, thanks to the specialist support he has received at Coleg y Cymoedd. With the help of The WRU National Rugby Union Academy, which is based at the college’s Nantgarw Campus, Kian Evans (18) has learnt to dream big and has set his sights on representing Wales internationally. Having completed his Level 3 BTEC qualification in Sport and playing rugby for 12 years, Kian is now set to study a degree in Sports Conditioning, Rehabilitation and Massage at Cardiff Metropolitan University in…

Identical twins Amelia and Macey Morris, 18, from Pontypridd, are looking forward to kickstarting their careers in sociology after both confirming their places to study the subject at university following their fantastic results this morning. The Coleg y Cymoedd learners are hoping that the degrees will enable them to make a positive social difference and tackle poverty and income inequality, motivated by their own experiences growing up in a lower income area. Amelia will be studying sociology at Bristol University after receiving ABB grades in law, government and politics, and English, while Macey is set to head to Cardiff University…

An academic at the University of South Wales (USW) has published a children’s book to help young readers understand how plastic in the ocean affects sea creatures. Dr Wendy Booth, Lecturer in Public Service Management, and Katie Derradji-Brown, an MA Education student, created Rambo and the Perils of Plastic, which tells the story of Rambo the octopus and the dangers his sea creature friends face due to plastic in the ocean. Wendy and Katie are co-CEOs of Sustainability Sphere, which provides teaching resources for schools and home educators on sustainable development and global citizenship. The resources encourage ethical, informed citizens –…